Dr. Susan King pledged to build on the
experiences and successes of the past year in anticipation of the
challenges ahead as she accepted the Newfoundland and Labrador
Medical Association's chain of office as the new president.
"Now is the time to build on our
growth, and focus on the tasks of today and the goals we have set
for the future. We have much work ahead and, in time, we will
accomplish our goals," she said.
"Now that a new contract with
government has been signed, and work to implement the agreement is
well under way, we can concentrate on the other important issues
that have had to be put on the back burner while we, of necessity,
spent most of our time, energy and resources on the most pressing
priority: negotiation and job action," she told a room full of
colleagues at the President's Dinner at the conclusion of the NLMA's
recent annual general meeting.
Dr. King identified her priorities for the
coming year, including technology, member communications,
communication with the general public, and influencing and shaping
public policy.
"Most of our members are over 40 and
somewhat out of the loop as far as technology is concerned. It is
our plan to offer training for members and assistance in technology
growth," said Dr. King.
"Communications is an extremely
important area and we have plans to improve our internal and
external communications programs. We will reach out to our members
and to our patients. We will assist the physicians of Newfoundland
and Labrador in getting health-related messages out to the people we
serve," she continued.
Dr. King also noted that physicians have a
very unique role in society. "Nobody knows a person the way a
family doctor knows him or her. Nobody knows about the
health-related circumstances of a person quite like their doctor.
Family physicians and specialists alike have the knowledge, the
training and experience that no other group has. We need to be and
we will be involved in the shaping of public policy — whether it's
about primary care reform, location and numbers of MRIs, or
psychiatric and geriatric programs — the list is endless and so is
our expertise."
Dr. King concluded that while the
challenges ahead are formidable, the physicians of the province are
up to the task.
"Our patients deserve nothing less
than the best standard of care possible. As leaders in the health
care of this province, it is our job to ensure they get just that,
and we will. We will build on the tremendous growth our association
has experienced over the past few years. We have had great
challenges and we have risen to the occasion, thanks to the hard
work of the NLMA staff and our members. It is the work of our grass
root colleagues that ensures our success."
Dr. King noted that she will be visiting
physicians across the province throughout the summer and into the
fall during her President's Tour.
"I look forward to meeting with as many of
you as possible over the next several months, to visiting you on
your turf and seeing for myself the things that are unique to your
area. It's going to be a busy, exciting and productive year."
The sitting president of the NLMA can be
reached at president@nlma.nf.ca.
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